The Nation Newspaper

Tag: mutilation

  • ‘Stop female genital mutilation’

    A human rights lawyer, Mr Michael Olusola Ogunsakin, has called on mothers to stand against female genital mutilation, saying that the rate at which girls were being made to suffer unnecessary pains left much to be desired.

    Reacting to a recent report that 137 communities in Osun State had publicly agreed to abandon the age-long cutting tradition in an event in Ado-Ekiti, Mr Ogunsakin said female genital mutilation was a wicked procedure that had no benefit for girls.

    He said that female genital mutilation was a violation of human rights of girls.

    The lawyer advised parents to stop subjecting their daughters to such wilful brutalization.

  • Dealing with female genital mutilation

    Sir: Though still practiced in more than 28 countries in Africa and a few scattered communities worldwide, the burden of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is seen in Nigeria, Egypt, Mali, Eritrea, Sudan, Central African Republic, and Northern part of Ghana where it has been an old traditional and cultural practice of various ethnic groups. FGM is also said to persist amongst immigrant populations living in Western Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand,

    Nigeria, due to its large population, has the highest absolute number of female genital mutilation worldwide, accounting for about one-quarter of the estimated 115-130 million circumcised women in the world. The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2013 showed a prevalence of FGM among adult women by geopolitical zone to be highest in the Southwest with 56.9 per cent; Southeast 40.8 per cent; South-South 34.7 per cent; Northcentral 9.6 per cent; Northeast 1.3 per cent; and Northwest 0.4 per cent.

    As reported in the NDHS, 45 out of every 100 adult women living in Lagos State for instance have undergone FGM at one time or another. This is largely due to migration from those states where the prevalence is much higher.

    It is a sad irony that the southern states that have higher literacy levels are also the most involved in this primitive socio-cultural practice. Reasons range from a belief that it reduces sexual desire and promiscuity; promotes chastity and helps young ladies attract husbands early. It is also wrongly ascribed to religious beliefs and traditional norms of female rites of adulthood. This has regrettably done more harm than good.

    Positive side of the advocacy to stamp out the scourge is the buying-in of policy makers and influencers especially in the recent time. In most states today, wives of our governors are the faces of the fight against the scourge. This is to tell us that we are not in a hopeless situation of totally eradicating the barbaric women violation.

    From informed religious perspective, none of the three main monotheistic faiths – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – prescribe female circumcision. Even if they do, should religion be indifferent to a cruel and barbaric practice?  Evidently, proof people hold on to as religious verdict to engage in the practice is also rooted in culture and not divine injunction per se. Meanwhile, culture itself, is not static but it is in constant flux, adapting and reforming. In other words, man creates culture in the first instance before culture started to create man.

    Medical experts and studies by WHO, UNICEF and other world bodies assert that, unlike male circumcision, FGM has no medical benefits whatsoever. On the other hand, says the UN Population Fund, “FGM does irreparable harm. It can result in death through severe bleeding, pain and trauma and overwhelming infections.” WHO adds that it also results in problems with urinating, could cause cysts, infections, infertility and complications in childbirth. “Women with FGM are significantly more likely than those without FGM to have adverse obstetrics outcomes including prolonged or obstructed labour, obstetric fistula, postpartum (after delivery) haemorrhage and extended maternal hospital stay.

    The way forward is usage of communication for development. There is need to resort to and prioritize reverse flow of communication.  People should be ready to change their behaviour when they understand the hazards and indignity of harmful practices and when they realize that it is possible to give up harmful practices without giving up meaningful aspects of their culture.

    The state governments should begin to pursue FGM eradication measures with as much vigour as the polio immunization programme. States and local governments where in existence should urgently revive the primary health care system and eliminate the local, untrained mutilators who use unsanitary tools to harm our girls in the name of circumcision. Elimination of local and untrained mutilators however requires provision of alternative source of livelihood.

    Parents and guardians should be made to be aware and understand that FGM has no single health benefit, but often condemns women to sexual frustration when married. Ending FGM lies in usage of multi-disciplinary approach which must involve legislation, partnership between state and communities, professional health organizations, women empowerment and public sensitization. Most importantly, let the desired attitudinal change begin from the communities.

     

    • Rasak Musbau

     Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

  • FIDA urges women to stop mutilation

    The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Rivers State chapter, has urged Abual/Odual women to stop genital mutilation.

    The Chairperson, Mrs. Tonia Osademe,   spoke in Ayama, the headquarters of Abua/Odual Local Government.

    She said February 6 is International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

    Osademe, however, noted that the practice was on the decline in 22 local governments.

    She said FGM campaign was succeeding due to FIDA’s efforts, adding that the federation was taking the campaign across the state, including worship centres.

    The chairperson said Abua/Odual Council had the highest prevalence of female circumcision, adding that other 22 councils were gradually stopping the practice.

    She said circumcision of an expectant mother had consequences, such as infection, excessive bleeding and death, among others.

    Women at the campaign differed in opinions. Some supported the practice, while others described it as an old tradition.

    Mrs. Sokari Inmo, a mother of two, said she was not circumcised and would not circumcise her daughters.

    Other women said non-circumcision made young, unmarried ladies sexually active, “pursuing men up and down, seeking satisfaction everywhere.’’

    FIDA, which has its mandate as protection, promoting and preserving the rights of women and children, described the practice as “rape and violence”.

  • Mutilation affects child birth, says doctor

    A paediatrician at Enugu State Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Dr. Juliet Ochi, has said Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) can cause difficulty in child birth.

    She told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu yesterday that FGM could also deny women sexual satisfaction.

    “One of the problems a girl-child is likely to experience due to mutilation is lack of sexual satisfaction when she grows into adulthood, because the exercise involves cutting off part of her genital organ that helps a woman to get satisfaction sexually,” Ochi said.

    She added that the cutting of the clitoris could lead to difficulty in child delivery because the part cut off could no longer stretch, as such, difficulty in giving birth would occur.

    The doctor said most of the mutilations caused health problems.

    She said the exercise could lead to excessive bleeding by the child, which could result in death.

    The World Health Organisation said: “Female genital mutilation includes procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organ for non-medical reasons and health benefits for girls and women.

  • Film highlights dangers of Female Genital Mutilation

    The dangers of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) were showcased at Genesis Cinemas, Abuja, in a film entitled ‘Alero’, which evoked deep emotions from the audience.

    ‘Alero’ tells the story of a young girl who was circumcised by her parents as part of the custom of their village.

    The film, watched by a select audience, mirrored the physical and psychological effects she had to endure as she underwent the crude “surgery’’.

    The Executive Producer, Dorothy Njemanze, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview that the film was part of activities to commemorate the International Day for Zero Tolerance for FGM.

    Njemanze said the essence of the film was to use visual medium, especially motion pictures, to highlight the dangers involved FGM practice and to debunk the notion that only takes place in rural areas.

    “FGM takes place rampantly in urban areas, contrary to popular opinion, as people call these ‘surgeons’ from the villages to the cities and towns to circumcise their girls.’’

    She told NAN that the film was produced in line with international standard with the help of FilmCorp Advocacy Films.

    According to her, the film can be viewed on international movie sharing platforms such as Netflix.

    The lead actress, Joy Otaro, who played ‘Alero’, told NAN that acting in the movie opened her eyes to the realities of FGM and enabled her to appreciate the horrors women who were cut faced.

    Otaro urged young people to be actively involved in the campaign against FGM in order to fully eradicate the menace from the cultural system.

    NAN reports that the screening of the film also featured a panel discussion on the history of FGM, its scope and health implications.

    The panel comprised Dr Eleanor Nwadinobi, a medical consultant, Mr Bem Alugh, a representative of the Ministry of Education, and Mr Edosa Oviawe, an employee of Ipas Nigeria, an NGO that works to increase women’s access to vital reproductive health care.

    The film is a collaborative work between FilmCorp Advocacy Films and Dorothy Njemanze Foundation.

  • Lagos, NGO warn against female genital mutilation

    Lagos, NGO warn against female genital mutilation

    • Practice violates rights of women

    There is no religion, faith or creed that supports female genital mutilation (FGM), hence no girl-child and woman should undergo same again. This was the submission of representatives across the three prominent religions in Nigeria at a one-day forum organised by the Child Health Advocacy Initiative (CHAI).

    CHAI is a non- governmental organisation promoting the Health and Development of Women and Children in Nigeria. Present also were government representatives.

    Executive Director, CHAI, Mrs. Lola Alonge, said FGM violates all human rights principles, including equality, non discrimination of sex and the right to health, as FGM causes lifelong physical and psychological harm. It also affects the family, community, relationships and economic development.

    Dr Alonge said: “Trained health workers, who perform FGM are violating girls and women’s right to life and health. We, therefore, call for the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP). On May 2015, President Goodluck Jonathan signed the VAPP into law. This law bans FGM and other traditional harmful practices. But the VAPP only applies at the Federal Capital Territory. It is now up to each state to domesticate the law. Previously, 11 states have enacted laws against FGM. However, there is inconsistency between passing and enforcing the law.”

    Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who was represented by Director, Family Health and Nutrition, Dr. Folashade Oludara said, FGM is the most barbaric form of killing and harming of female folks.

    “That leaves them psychologically traumatised. FGM is a deeply rooted cultural belief that needs to be removed. It is not just enough to make the law, we need to call people together and create awareness on how to end FGM. In Lagos, we have 44 per cent practice because Lagos is a multi-national state with various ethnic groups. FGM heals with irreparable scare that prevents the woman from enjoying sex, having babies, among other harms. Everyone needs to come together to fight against the practice. We are told that 28 per cent are being conducted by health workers, but am sure it’s not in Lagos because any health worker caught doing so will be prosecuted,” he added.

    His Women Affairs counterpart, Dr. Lola Akande, said FGM was an abuse against the girl-child and women hence the urgent need to get it abolished. The commissioner, represented by Dr. (Mrs) Sola Falana, said Lagos was ready to collaborate with CHAI in the eradication of the practice.

    “We believe this is an abuse, and we have a number you can dial to report cases of abuse in Lagos. The state government has always been in the forefront against such practices and we are ready to collaborate with CHAI in the eradication. But this is a collective effort; we need to carry out sensitisation especially to our men. Today, many women are not enjoying their marriage because of this FGM, it has led to so much deaths,” she added.

    President, Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Dr. Sariyu Ashiru, said the practice has no medical benefit, but it is still lingering because of culture. “These procedures are being performed by quacks, which is why the victim ends up with complications,” she said.

    In the same vein, Baale of Marine Beach, Chief Joseph Omobolanle Ogunmola said his community has started campaigning against the practice through the pastors, Imams and the Baales.

    He said: “The practice is endangering the life of our young girls. We want them to live. It should be our collective responsibility to sensitise our families to stop FGM so that our females can live long and in good health.”

    Also at the event, Pastor Laide Adenuga of Redeemed Aids Program Action Committee (RAPAC) said there is no verse in the Holy Bible that endorses FGM so the act itself does not glorify God.

  • How we escaped mutilation, by Ebonyi teenagers

    How we escaped mutilation, by Ebonyi teenagers

    A 17-year-old student of Comprehensive Secondary School Achacha 1 Community Igbagu, in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Miss Confidence Mbam has narrated her harrowing experience in the hands of some men and elderly women who took her hostage, held her bound to enable a traditional birth attendant circumcise her against her wish.

    In an interview with The Nation in Abakaliki, the state capital, Miss Mbam said trouble started when her father informed her that she would be circumcised in a few days’ time.

    She spoke when a team of United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF representatives led by Mrs. Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe and Mrs. Adline Idike of the Adline Advocacy for the Dignity of the Destitute Foundation visited Achacha 1 Community.

    Mbam said, “On the fateful day, when I was asked to proceed for the circumcision and I objected, about 10 men and women took me hostage, held me bound and forcefully wanted to carry out the circumcision. Fortunately for me, I managed to wriggle out from them and immediately ran to the Pastor of our church who took me in and haboured me for the night.

    “The next morning and still in a state of confusion, the pastor came up with an idea that I should leave the village and travel to Cross River State and stay with my elder brother for the mean time. I left the village and went to stay with my elder brother until I was asked to return to the village following the quick intervention of UNICEF and other agencies that were reliably informed of the incident and they quickly intervened.”

    Miss Mbam, a JSS 1 student, said she will still try to run away from from their home again if there are any further attempts to force her into circumcision, adding that before now she was enlightened in her school and church on the dangers of female genital mutilation.

    Another 18-year-old student of Comprehensive Secondary School, Igbagu, Miss Faith Nkwede who also hail from Achacha 1 Community, also narrated her own ordeal, explaining that she too had to run away from home. She said she resisted the attempt to be forcefully circumcised which has been an aged long tradition in the community. Like her Mbam, she had also been informed about the challenges and agony women face during and after the mutilation.

    She stated that she would have been mutilated if not for the campaign by UNICEF and other agencies against the harmful practice.

    She urged other young girls in the community to also resist the attempt as that would save the community and end the practice.

    The father of Miss Confidence Mbam, Mr. Bernard Mbam who is the village head of Achacha 1 community said that she had informed the daughter of the plan to have her circumcised when she turns 17 but to her surprise she escaped from the community and ran to Cross River State from where she was mandated to return home after the intervention of UNICEF.

    Mr. Mbam said that with the enlightenment and advocacy visit of UNICEF to the community, he would henceforth lead the campaign against female genital mutilation and commended UNICEF and other non-governmental organization for their effort.

    Meanwhile, there was a mild drama at the residence of Mr. Mbam when 3 women including the grandmother of Miss Confidence rained abuses on her and threatened to carry out the circumcision should the UNICEF team leave her behind.

    The situation forced the founder of Adline Advocacy for the Dignity of the Destitute to take custody of the girl.

    In an interview with The Nation, the Founder of the advocacy group, Mrs. Idike said that she decided not to allow the girl stay back in the village as the women were prepared to take laws into their hands by mutilating the girl and face the outcome.

    She stated that with the girl out from the village, she has saved her from the agony of being mutilated and said that her group would intensify the campaign in Achacha 1 community and other villages in Izzi where the practice is still very high.

  • Imo fights genital mutilation

    Imo fights genital mutilation

    Its enlightenment and educational accomplishments have not weaned Imo State off the age-old horrors of female genital mutilation or FGM. The state has the highest percentage of FGM in the country with 68 % prevalence. But there is someone fighting it with all the resources she can muster: Mrs  Nneoma Okorocha, wife of the state governor.

    Many young girls between the ages of one month to five, as well as married women have been forced to undergo this painful ritual with the attendant consequences, which include lifelong trauma, infection and sometimes death.

    This practice has been predominant in four Local Government Areas of Ohaji-Egbema, Ngor-Okpala, Ikeduru and Oguta.

    But respite has come. Mrs Okorocha in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund Agency (UNFPA) has launched an intensive campaign against FGM and other practices that are inimical to the wellbeing of the girl-child.

    The governor’s wife who anchored the campaign under the auspices of her pet project, the Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI), noted that she keyed into the passion of the wife of the President, Aisha Muhamadu Buhari to end the barbaric practice that has resulted in the avoidable deaths of women and children, especially in the rural areas.

    The governor’s wife who decried the prevalence rate of the practice in Imo State, during launch of the anti-FGM/C campaign at the Imo International Convention Centre in Owerri, called for a collaborative efforts to end the scourge.

    She observed that the practice does not only violate the rights of the girl child but makes it difficult for her to live up to her responsibilities as a wife, as well as endangers her life.

    Mrs. Okorocha lamented that despite global condemnation of the practice, Imo State is still leading in the barbaric act, adding that the campaign will be taken to all the nooks and crannies of the state to create awareness on the dangers inherent in female circumcision.

    She hinted further that part of the measures she has adopted to eliminate the menace in the state, is to criminalize the practice through an Executive bill she has presented to the State House of Assembly.

    According to her, “Female Genital Mutilation is a form of violence against women which is perpetuated by unfounded myth and baseless traditions. It is a practice that is very rampant in our region and unfortunately Imo State was found to have one of the prevalence rate of 68 percent.

    “In Imo State, intervention by UNFPA through the Ministry of Health, Women Affairs and Social Development has focused on four Local Government Areas of Ikeduru, Ohaji/Egbema, Ngor-Okpala and Oguta.

    “In spite of this intervention, it is noted that this practice is undertaken in our communities throughout the state and has been continuing unabated, parents especially mothers have been secretly indulging in the act, leaving the victims in perpetual agony and regrets.

    “This can no longer be allowed to go on. It has therefore become imperative to end this harmful traditional practice”.

    The State Attorney General, Barrister Miletus Nlemedum, while commending the governor’s wife for the initiative, assured that the judiciary will take the matter seriously.

    He promised to assist make the war against FGM a success in the state.

    Similarly, the State Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers,Eze Sam Ohiri represented at the occasion by Eze G.N Ejiogu, assured of the support of traditional institution in eradicating the practice in the State.

    He said, “henceforth, we are going to keep watch on the women to find out those who are still engaged in the practice. it may not be an easy task but we are going to do everything possible to check the practice in our domain. it is not part of our culture and we will no longer allow it”

    Giving bite to the campaign, the state governor Rochas Okorocha, warned women who still engage in the practice to desist from doing so or risk imprisonment.

    The Imo governor disclosed that as soon as the bill against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is passed into law by the State House of Assembly,the punishment for offenders will be several years of imprisonment as will be specified by the establishing law.

    He described the practice as barbaric and unacceptable.

    According to him, “barbaric cultures which are not beneficial to the people should be abolished”.

    He urged the State Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the bill into law, to enable a permanent solution to the problem.

    In her speech, the country representative of UNFPA, Mrs Beatrice Mukta, commended the wife of the Governor for her relentless fight against FGM.

    She noted that the battle against the practice will not be an easy one and therefore appealed to traditional institutions as well as women in the state to support the move by the Governor’s wife.

    Meanwhile at the launch of the campaign, which was preceded by a road-walk, the participants were moved to tears as they watched the emotional clips of the horrible practice.

  • Experts seek end to female genital mutilation

    Experts seek end to female genital mutilation

    There was high euphoria across the country when former President Goodluck Jonathan signed the bill outlawing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) into law on May 5, last year.

    In spite of the widespread optimism that the law will save millions of Nigerian girls and women from the myriad health implications of FGM, concerned observers insist that the age-long practice is still very much in existence.

    According to the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA), Osun State has the highest prevalence of FGM in the entire South-West geo-political zone.

    Mrs Ratidzai Ndhlovu, UNFPA Country Representative in Nigeria, said this at a meeting organised by UNFPA, in collaboration with Shericare Foundation (SCARF), the pet project of the wife of Osun State governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola.

    “The prevalence rate of female genital mutilation in Osun State stands at 76.6 per cent,’’ she said.

    She stressed that all hands must be on deck to eradicate the age-long practice.

    Speaking on the high prevalence of FGM, Mrs Aregbesola, who is an ambassador of the anti-FGM campaign, warned perpetrators of tradition to desist from the act or face the full wrath of the law.

    She decried the prevalent rate of female circumcision, insisting that urgent efforts should be made to stamp out the practice.

    She moaned that Osun State ranked number one on the list of the six states where FGM was most endemic in the country, adding that this compelled her to lead an intensive advocacy against FGM and sensitise the citizens to the dangers of the tradition.

    Mrs. Aregbesola emphasised that the reasons adduced by those engaging in the removal of external female genitalia were not tenable, saying that the perpetrators were only inflicting unwarranted lifelong trauma on the circumcised females and denying them sexual pleasure.

    “Investigations have revealed that none of the reasons adduced by perpetrators has any link to any medical objective, in which case the genitals of a female child or woman is just altered for a reason not aimed at saving her life.

    “The UNFPA, through a study, has confirmed that the practice of FGM in the endemic states in Nigeria was only anchored on various traditional beliefs and social pressures to conform to culture.

    “Documented studies have revealed that the health implications of FGM range from dangerous infections arising from unsanitary conditions, in which the practice is carried out to death through severe bleeding,’’ she said.

    Mrs. Aregbesola, who described FGM as a violation of fundamental human rights, said she would ensure that the practice was completely eradicated.

    Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Kayode Oguniyi, the Director of Primary Health care and Disease Control, said the government would henceforth ensure strict enforcement of the law against FGM.

    He also said it was worrisome that Osun State still had the highest prevalence of female genital mutilation in the Southwest.

    Oguniyi said the law prohibiting FGM in Osun, which was signed by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, stipulated two years imprisonment without an option of fine for anyone caught engaging in the practice.

    “Let me agree that Osun is still one of the places where this old tradition is still being practised.

    “As regards the prevalence of female genital mutilation in the Southwest, Osun has the highest figure with about 76 per cent.

    “We do not like it and we are working very hard to remove the tradition from our state,’’ he added.

    Oguniyi said as part of the campaigns, the agency was also training some people as anti-female genital mutilation ambassadors.

    He said the ambassadors carried out house-to-house campaigns to sensitise people to the ills of the harmful tradition.

    Medical experts, nonetheless, insist that government at all levels ought to embark on a more aggressive public awareness campaign on the health implications of FGM, while strictly enforcing the law banning the practice.

    Dr Banke Popoola, a gynaecologist, said since there was an extant law criminalising FGM, offenders should be punished accordingly, adding that such punishments should also be publicised to serve as deterrent to others.

    She also said the cruel practice of cutting the clitoris of young females should be discouraged by everyone, particularly those in the rural communities.

    Nevertheless, Dr Grace Adanri, the Research Director, Better Life Africa, called on the government to enforce all laws prohibiting violence against persons, as part of efforts to secure a better future for the Nigerian girl-child.

    She said FGM, in some cases, could lead to the opening of passages between the vagina and bladder or anus, thereby triggering Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a condition more commonly associated with obstetrics complications such as obstructed labour in teenage pregnancy.

    Besides, Adanri said there was a possibility of the failure of the wound to heal, leading to excessive growth of scar.

    “This could also lead to hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases, reproductive tract infections, infertility, obstructive labour, painful menstruation and painful sexual intercourse, among several other health issues,’’ she said.

    Adanri also said FGM could, as well, lead to Recto-Vaginal Fistula (RVF) particularly when “the pelvis and birth canal of the pregnant woman are not fully developed’’.

    She, however, underscored the need to stage intensive awareness campaigns on the ills of FGM.

    Observers insist that since the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared FGM as a violation of human rights, government should enforce the extant laws on FGM to the letter.

    • Victor Adeoti writes for News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

     

  • Coalition against genital mutilation

    Coalition against genital mutilation

    UNICEF and an NGO are leading a campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM). They are seeking stiffer penalties for offenders, OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE reports

    The United Nations Chil-dren’s Fund (UNICEF) and a non-governmental organisation, Inter-African Committee on Female Genital Mutilation have called for the end of female genital mutilation or FGM.

    The age-old practice is said to be prevalent in Ebonyi and other Southeast and Southsouth states.

    UNICEF and the NGO also wooed the media to help in speeding up the end of what has been described as a scourge.

    Both organisations addressed journalists at a workshop co-sponsored by Federal Ministry of Information in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

    The theme of the workshop was “Female genital mutilation/cutting abandonment in Nigeria”.

    National President of the NGO, Prof Modupe Onadeko expressed shock that every year three million girls and women undergo the painful and life-threatening crude operation.

    Onadeko, a retired professor of Medicine, said that Ebonyi, Imo, Osun, Nasarawa, among other states in the country have high prevalence rate and called for the total abandonment of the practice.

    She stated that apart from the pain the girls and women go through during mutilation other dangers associated with the Female Genital Mutilation includes, risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, urinary tract infections, fracture and death and called for the support of faith-based organisations in the campaign to end it.

    Prof Onadeko debunked insinuations and traditional beliefs that uncircumcised girls are usually promiscuous and do not get married. She also condemned the use of the finger by mothers and mothers-in-law especially in Ebonyi and Imo states in pricking, piercing or cutting the clitoris, adding that such practices amount to circumcision.

    Prof Onadeko urged the state governments to domesticate the law prohibiting female genital mutilation and rights of newborns and women, adding that there should be stiffer penalties for offenders.

    She said the various types of female gentile mutilation or circumcision account for the increasing number of prostitutes and mortality of women during child delivery.

    Onadeko, a retired professor of medicine from University of Ibadan said that research had revealed that 95 percent of prostitutes in Nigeria had their female organs mutilated by circumcisers.

    “No Anastasia, no analgesics, some could bleed to death. Their belief is that if the clitoris is allowed to grow it could grow longer than the male organ, and then there would be two masters in one boat. They also believe that cutting the woman would drive away evil spirit from the girl child or woman. Some say it is to make her not to be promiscuous, so would remain a virgin for the husband or her would-be husband. Any of them who failed to do it is mutilated in the seventh month of pregnancy”.

    She explained that any cutting of the female genitalia is harmful, and violation of her rights, and called for implementation of any existing laws against the practice while the state that had not enacted such laws should do so.

    Onadeko said that the prevalence of the mutilation is more in Osun state with 77% prevalence, followed by Ebonyi state 74 %, Ekiti 72%, Imo 68%,  and Oyo 42%.

    She noted that the worst of the mutilation is the infibulations type where the girl-child or woman has her genitalia stitched up leaving  only a small hole for her urination and menstruation.

    The professor explained that the cutting accounts for the series of protracted labor and ultimate complications in child delivery including VVF, and had in many cases resulted to deaths.

    “There is no need for cutting any parts of the body of any person except for medical reasons. In the cases of these mutilations they are done in respect or obedience to culture and traditions. In some cases these children are held down by able bodied men or women for them to be cut, their bodies/face are cut with unhygienic implements to give marks so that no other family can claim them.”

    The medical expert said that leaving the female organ as created does not make her promiscuous rather makes for pleasurable marriage and normal child delivery.

    Many other experts drawn from various disciplines delivered talks at the workshop.

    In an opening remark, the Chief of Communication UNICEF Nigeria, Doune Porter said the agency decided to put up the programme to partner the media in combating the act and commended the Wife of the President for the proposed flag off of the campaign against FGM/C scheduled to hold in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The Chief of Communication said that the agency has recorded greater success in the advocacy pointing out that the agency would not relent until the country records total abandonment of the practice.

    Porter further said that some practitioners in Ile Ife, Osun State have abandoned the act and joined in the advocacy and called other practitioners in areas where there is prevalent cases to abandon the

    practice and join in the advocacy.

    She also commended the Federal Ministry of Information and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, UNFPA for collaborating with the agency in the media dialogue.

    Journalists across the Southeast, Southsouth and Abuja participated in the dialogue and resolved to champion the campaign in their different state.